Windows 11 Smart App Control (SAC) can now be toggled on or off without a clean install in Insider Build 26220.7070. Here’s how to find it.
Smart App Control in Windows 11 Just Got a Lot More Practical: You Can Toggle It Without a Clean Install
If you have ever tried Smart App Control (SAC) in Windows 11, you probably ran into the same wall many power users did.
SAC is designed to block untrusted or potentially harmful apps before they run. It can be a strong security layer, especially for everyday users. The problem was not the idea. The problem was the commitment.
For a long time, Smart App Control behaved like a “set it and forget it” feature in the worst way. If you disabled it, or if Windows decided it was not a good fit for your device during evaluation, you were effectively stuck with SAC turned off unless you reset or clean installed Windows.
That restriction is now being removed, starting in the Windows Insider channels.
The change: SAC can now be switched on or off without reinstalling Windows
Microsoft has updated Smart App Control so you can toggle it on or off directly in Windows Security without needing a clean install.
This is confirmed in the Windows Insider release notes for Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7070 (KB5070300), published November 7, 2025, where Microsoft states they are updating SAC so you can switch it off or on without any clean install requirement.
Where to find the toggle
Open:
Windows Security app → App & browser control → Smart App Control settings
If your device has the update, you should be able to change SAC’s state from here without getting blocked by a “reset required” style warning.
Why this is a big deal
This change turns Smart App Control into something you can actually live with.
- Developers often run unsigned tools, scripts, and test builds.
- Gamers sometimes rely on niche launchers, mods, or drivers.
- IT admins and power users frequently test utilities that are legitimate but uncommon.
Before, enabling SAC came with an implied risk: you might lose the ability to turn it back on later without reinstalling Windows. Now, SAC becomes a feature you can use flexibly, turning it off for a specific task and re-enabling it afterward.
What you should know before you look for it
1) This is rolling out to Insiders first, and not everyone will see it immediately
This change is documented for Windows Insider Dev and Beta channels (Windows 11, version 25H2, build 26220.x). Microsoft also notes that it is rolling out gradually, so even if you are on the right build, the updated experience may not show up on your device right away.
If you do not see it yet, that does not necessarily mean something is wrong. It may simply not have been enabled for your device in the staged rollout.
2) Microsoft documentation may still describe the old behavior
During feature transitions, official documentation often lags behind what is shipping in preview builds.
For example, the Smart App Control FAQ still describes the older model where SAC required a clean install and could not be turned back on easily once disabled.
Some Microsoft Learn content has also continued to reference SAC being enabled only after a clean install.
In the short term, your best source of truth is the Windows Security UI on your device (plus the release notes for your build).
3) Enterprise management and Developer Mode can still affect SAC
Even with the new toggle behavior, SAC is not guaranteed to behave the same way in every environment. Microsoft calls out scenarios where SAC may be off, including enterprise-managed devices and systems where Developer Mode is enabled or configured.
If you manage devices through Intune, or you regularly use Developer Mode, it is worth treating this as “new capability, but with policy and device-context exceptions.”
Quick check: how to verify you have the updated SAC experience
- Open Windows Security.
- Go to App & browser control.
- Select Smart App Control settings.
- Confirm you can change SAC’s state without being told a reset or clean install is required.
If you see that, you are on the updated model.
The bottom line
Smart App Control is moving from a “one-way door” security feature to a setting you can actually manage day to day. For users who want strong protection but still need flexibility, this is exactly the kind of change that makes SAC usable in the real world.
If you are running Insider Dev or Beta, check your Windows Security settings and see whether the updated toggle is available yet.
